Jakob N Madsen

As a Tooling Mechanic at NOR, Jakob Madsen works with specialised equipment used in offshore and subsea operations. His role is to ensure that the equipment is functional, safe and ready for use.

What the role involves

Jakob’s work covers a wide range of technical and practical tasks. The variation is one of the things he values most about the role, as each day can bring different equipment, challenges and responsibilities.

”One day I might be troubleshooting in the workshop, the next day welding or writing documentation, and the day after that I could be out on a mobilisation with a customer.”

Working with rental equipment for offshore operations means being exposed to many different types of equipment, systems and technical challenges. For Jakob, that variety makes the work both interesting and rewarding.

”It is difficult to get bored when the tasks vary so much and there are always new challenges.”

Most important skill

For Jakob, one of the most important skills in his role is systems thinking. It is not only about following what is written on paper, but understanding why and how things work together.

In practice, this means being able to read hydraulic diagrams, understand how different components interact, keep several variables in mind at the same time and ask the right questions. While a fault can often be traced back to one specific component, the key is often understanding the full system.

”It is important to see and understand entire systems, and not get too focused on the individual details.”

The same applies to the full equipment journey, from when it returns to NOR to when it is maintained, tested, documented and sent back out on a project. Ensuring that this is done safely and to the right quality standard is an important part of the role.

Career development

Jakob first joined NOR through a work placement during upper secondary school and has been part of the company’s development ever since.

“I have never looked back. It is still just as enjoyable as it was on the first day.”

When Jakob started as an apprentice, the role was mainly practical workshop work. Since then, his responsibilities have grown significantly. Today, his role includes documentation, technical support and different projects, in addition to hands-on equipment work.

He has also taken on the role of safety representative in the workshop in Aksdal and is continuing his education in hydraulics, with the goal of becoming a technical specialist.

For Jakob, being part of NOR’s growth has been especially motivating. As the company develops, gains new customers, expands its product range and enters new markets, he values the opportunity to contribute to that journey.

Work environment

Jakob describes the work environment at NOR as:

Varied. Flexible. Solution-oriented.

What he enjoys most about working with his team is the combination of strong technical competence and a good social environment.

”It is a good mix of skilled people and a positive working environment.”

Being part of NOR

Jakob is proud that the equipment NOR provides contributes to projects that are often not visible to most people, but still play an important role in keeping critical operations moving.

“The equipment we rent out contributes to both large and small projects that people rarely hear about, but that many things in the world would stop without.”

Advice for someone starting out

Jakob’s advice to anyone new to the industry is simple: ask questions.

When working with equipment that operates under high pressure and is sent out to customers who rely on it to perform safely, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Curiosity is also essential, especially in a field where much of the equipment is highly specialised and can seem complex at first.

”As long as the curiosity and interest are there, you can usually learn most things along the way.”

Outside of work

Outside of work, Jakob spends a lot of time skiing in Røldal when the snow conditions are good. He also flies speedwing and follows Formula 1.